Probe beneath the hype

Not all cars that fail to inspire are bad cars, writes David Morley. Ford's Probe is a case in point.

Probe beneath the hype

03 May 2004David Morley

Not all cars that fail to inspire are bad cars, writes David Morley. Ford's Probe is a case in point.

Of all of Australia's vehicle categories, it seems the mid-sized coupe segment is the toughest nut to crack. Plenty of manufacturers and importers have had a go at selling a coupe with either a large four-cylinder or V6 engine, but, with a couple of exceptions, they've all retired hurt with minimal sales and showrooms full of hard-to-shift metal.

That hasn't stopped them having multiple dips at the prize, and you only need look at Holden's attempts to sell the Calibra to know that much. The Opel-built coupe was first marketed as a four-cylinder front-drive, then as a V6 and finally as a turbocharged four-cylinder with all-wheel-drive -- and still it couldn't be made to suggest itself to potential buyers.

Ford's most recent attempt at the market was with the edge-styled Cougar, complete with V6 power and plenty of attitude, but it, too, failed to capture a competitive slice of the market. The Cougar was just the most recent experiment from Ford; a few years before that was yet another sales failure: the Probe.

So was the Probe (and its ilk) a bad car? No, but the reason for its demise is the same across the market segment. Two models have, from the 1970s on, had that market niche sewn up: the Toyota Celica and Honda Prelude, with the marketing clout and the badge awareness to make them first choice among coupe buyers who prefer image over real substance. That is what killed the Probe after a life beginning in 1994 and lasting just three years.

Now that prices have fallen to very affordable levels, the Probe will appeal to those looking for the swoopy coupe styling with a serve of proper horsepower courtesy of the V6 engine. A Probe will show a contemporary Prelude or Celica a clean pair of heels on just about any road.

With large sections of the basic platform derived from the Mazda MX-6/626 models, as is the engine and gearbox, the logical conclusion is that the US-built Probe will drive much like the unlamented V6 Mazda MX-6, but it's actually quite a bit more fun than that.

There is independent suspension at each corner and front-wheel-drive. The engine is a 2.5-litre V6 with twin-overhead camshafts on each bank of cylinders and four valves on each cylinder. Power peaked at 121 kW at 5600 rpm with torque of 213Nm at 5000rpm, suggesting that the engine liked a big rev before it delivered its best. But it was also pretty sweet and smooth, so revving it hard wasn't the chore it might have been.

Handling was safe and secure, although like most front-wheel-drives, the Probe would ultimately push wide at the front if you got too ambitious.

Steering feel was better than most front-drive coupes, and the Probe was a reasonably entertaining drive up to about 80 percent (way beyond the point most owners will reach), where it could begin to lose the plot.

There are some build quality issues to be aware of when shopping for a Probe. The biggest potential problem involves the five-speed manual gearbox (a four-speed automatic was a popular fitment) and relates to how the vehicle has been serviced. The factory stipulates gearbox oil changes with an oil matching a 75W90 specification. It must also contain no sulphur, as this will shorten the lifespan of the internal bearings, which are made from bronze/brass and are corroded by the oil as it becomes acidic over time. So check the service record carefully and make sure the correct oil has been used.

The automatic gearbox isn't without issues either, and mechanics reckon the factory's 40,000km transmission service interval should really be halved, as the fluid most commonly used simply won't protect the gearbox over that distance.

Rear brake calipers can seize, with a result similar to driving around with the handbrake on.

A caliper rebuild is the ultimate solution and may have already been undertaken.

On the engine, the biggest potential grief can come from premature valve-stem wear. The symptoms involve a puff of smoke at start-up but it's not common and probably indicates a hard-driven car rather than any inherent fault. Skipping services can lead to worn hydraulic lash adjusters, which lead to a rattly engine.

Otherwise, the Probe seems well put together and has lasted well. Considering it's cheap these days yet still looks like a modern interpretation of the coupe theme, it's pretty good buying.

What to pay

About $10,000 gets you into the game these days, which is reasonable value considering you are buying a relatively new car with a V6 engine and a fair dash of style. Prices go all the way to about $18,000 for '97-plated cars with low kilometres, but a cheaper example is better buying.

The competition

Just about any two-door car with a four-cylinder or V6 engine will be vying for the same money. Likely suspects are the Hyundai Coupe, Holden Calibra, Mazda MX-6 and any number of other Japanese makes and models.